Help Needed! Kidney Stones - Stent

SamiSalo

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Hi. Looking for info ahead of my consultation tomorrow. Family vet is closed through Easter (today too), so I'm missing their trusted opinion.

Salo wouldn't stop throwing up so I took him to Emergency. Long story short, he has stones, one kidney is blocked. The specialist who did the ultrasound didn't think they could be dissolved. So their recommendation is to install a stent. They don't do that so Salo was transferred to a specialty hospital & the consultation w/their internal medicine folks is tomorrow. I'm expecting them to recommend the procedure ($$).

I'm impatient. Just want to know how his quality/life will change. I read online that stents are known to move which is crazy disconcerting. My breeder asked what kind of stones they are, that sometimes they can be dissolved. Hopefully they'll give me an honest second opinion.

TIA
 

helsonwheels

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Hi. Looking for info ahead of my consultation tomorrow. Family vet is closed through Easter (today too), so I'm missing their trusted opinion.

Salo wouldn't stop throwing up so I took him to Emergency. Long story short, he has stones, one kidney is blocked. The specialist who did the ultrasound didn't think they could be dissolved. So their recommendation is to install a stent. They don't do that so Salo was transferred to a specialty hospital & the consultation w/their internal medicine folks is tomorrow. I'm expecting them to recommend the procedure ($$).

I'm impatient. Just want to know how his quality/life will change. I read online that stents are known to move which is crazy disconcerting. My breeder asked what kind of stones they are, that sometimes they can be dissolved. Hopefully they'll give me an honest second opinion.

TIA

Hi there, when youā€™ll go to the vet, most will tell you to change the diet to a prescription diet kibble or cans they sell. Donā€™t do that. I personally would put your dog on raw or homemade. Nyala had same issues as a pup. Ongoing ITI, crystals...I got fed up n home cooked for her. In a week all disappeared. Eventually she ate raw n sure donā€™t regret it.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/h...ne-kidney-stone-and-bladder-stone-prevention/
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Hi there, when youā€™ll go to the vet, most will tell you to change the diet to a prescription diet kibble or cans they sell. Donā€™t do that. I personally would put your dog on raw or homemade. Nyala had same issues as a pup. Ongoing ITI, crystals...I got fed up n home cooked for her. In a week all disappeared. Eventually she ate raw n sure donā€™t regret it.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/h...ne-kidney-stone-and-bladder-stone-prevention/

Thx. Heā€™s been on raw most his life. This is the first time heā€™s had stones.


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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Rotate between kangaroo & turkey. Switched from lamb to kangaroo in May, last year, after an allergy test. No reason, test was on sale. He was scratching less after the switch.

Salo is 7, 47 lbs.


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helsonwheels

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Rotate between kangaroo & turkey. Switched from lamb to kangaroo in May, last year, after an allergy test. No reason, test was on sale. He was scratching less after the switch Salo is 7, 47 lbs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm definitely not a diet issue. Usually stones is a magnesium issue. We usually find this problem with kibbles as itā€™s much higher in magnesium. My 2 are also on raw but if one had stone problem, yes I would see a vet but I would go the holistic way. That being said some stones do need surgery. Check out the natural roots/herbs you can give a dog especially for maintenance. If youā€™re going to give meds, I suggest you hold off the roots/herbs .

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bladder-infections-and-stones-in-dogs/
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Hmmm definitely not a diet issue. Usually stones is a magnesium issue. We usually find this problem with kibbles as itā€™s much higher in magnesium. My 2 are also on raw but if one had stone problem, yes I would see a vet but I would go the holistic way. That being said some stones do need surgery. Check out the natural roots/herbs you can give a dog especially for maintenance. If youā€™re going to give meds, I suggest you hold off the roots/herbs .

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bladder-infections-and-stones-in-dogs/

Thx. Not sure they know what type of stones he has yet. Weā€™ve known for awhile his kidney walls are thinner than normal. Thereā€™s a value representing a kidney enzyme weā€™ve been monitoring for the last few years. Itā€™s higher than normal but not high enough to be a concern.

Family vet just called. His personal experience, heā€™s seen 2 dogs who did well with stents & resume normal lives after the procedure.


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helsonwheels

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Thx. Not sure they know what type of stones he has yet. Weā€™ve known for awhile his kidney walls are thinner than normal. Thereā€™s a value representing a kidney enzyme weā€™ve been monitoring for the last few years. Itā€™s higher than normal but not high enough to be a concern.Family vet just called. His personal experience, heā€™s seen 2 dogs who did well with stents & resume normal lives after the procedure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh new info...youā€™re giving bit by bit info.. lol. You know what I do for my 2 n myself, I take oil of oregano. Nyala n Jake I give it to them every other day as maintenance. Itā€™s Mother Natureā€™s antibiotic. I put 2 drops n mix it in one of their raw meals every 3 days in the winter. I take it every 2 days. Just a thought:)

I buy mine at Costco needs to be a specific OOO..
9D211154-8426-47E7-823A-1ED022C563DB.jpeg


https://kiriangoods.com/oregano-linked-control-prevention-kidney-stones/
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Rotate between kangaroo & turkey. Switched from lamb to kangaroo in May, last year, after an allergy test. No reason, test was on sale. He was scratching less after the switch.

Salo is 7, 47 lbs.


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were you able to find out what type of stone? Iā€™m not sure of the treatment but I know you need that info to know what how to treat.
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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were you able to find out what type of stone? Iā€™m not sure of the treatment but I know you need that info to know what how to treat.

He's received IV fluids for... 2.5 days now - no worries, he's fine, he's wagging his tail & trying to sit on everyone. They compared ultrasounds & don't think they can flush it out. Think she said it was 7mm big? If that's why you're asking?
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Oh new info...youā€™re giving bit by bit info.. lol. You know what I do for my 2 n myself, I take oil of oregano. Nyala n Jake I give it to them every other day as maintenance. Itā€™s Mother Natureā€™s antibiotic. I put 2 drops n mix it in one of their raw meals every 3 days in the winter. I take it every 2 days. Just a thought:)

I buy mine at Costco needs to be a specific OOO..
View attachment 118897


https://kiriangoods.com/oregano-linked-control-prevention-kidney-stones/

We got a little off track. Preventative maintenance is def part of the conversation but when I posted, I had questions about the stent procedure. 2 drops, 1 meal, every 2 days in the summer & 3 days in the winter? Because it helps you prevent stones or UTIs?


Couldn't find any info online nor here. So... I'll share my story:

Had my consultation. 3 options:

Cut into urthra & get the stone
when the incision heals, urethra likely to shrink, increasing the chances for another blockage if he gets another stone (which would be another surgery).

Install a stent between urethra & bladder
stent reduces chances for future blockage but given my dog's UTI history, bacteria from future UTIs could stick to the stent material. If the bacteria persists, they could replace the stent but gaining access via the bladder is much easier & cheaper.

SUB (stent/port combination)
basically 2 tubes. Port installed under the skin, basically an access point where they can flush the stent as needed for whatever reason. Surgeon later took this off the table because in a worst case scenario, there's more material to remove.

In the end, the surgeon will decide. My take, I understand getting a stone is crazy rare. Given this is his first in 7 years, what are the odds he'll get another? I like option 1. Apparently there are some in his kidneys but they don't care about those (forgot to ask why not).

Option 2 is ok too - they tell me removing a stent is rare. No matter which option, Salo will have regular blood tests, cultures & ultrasounds forever. I'm ok w/that, thankfully we have insurance.

Obviously I'll step up my cleaning game. Likely stop going to the beach. Funny - the internal medicine specialist doesn't think I need to change anything because bacteria is everywhere. Beach is a big deal so staying away from the obvious sources makes sense to me.

Surgery is tomorrow. Fingers crossed...
 

Dollys Owner

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Really important to know what kind of stones they are in terms of long term treatment. If the stone has completely blocked the ureter and it's too big to pass with a bolus of iv fluid then it's a medical emergency and there is no choice but to remove it with catheter assisted retrieval or cystoscopy or other methods including lithotropsy. If the stone can't be pulverized with lithotropsy or pulled out, then a stent is better than surgically removing it since it will help the ureter open wide enough for the stone to pass.Later on ( let's say in a few weeks ) after the stone has passed then the stent will be removed. Let us know what kind of stone it was so we can advise on a long term treatment since you don't want the stones to recur. Your dog will probably also need some antibiotics for the procedure, or longer if he also has a urinary tract infection .
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Really important to know what kind of stones they are in terms of long term treatment. If the stone has completely blocked the ureter and it's too big to pass with a bolus of iv fluid then it's a medical emergency and there is no choice but to remove it with catheter assisted retrieval or cystoscopy or other methods including lithotropsy. If the stone can't be pulverized with lithotropsy or pulled out, then a stent is better than surgically removing it since it will help the ureter open wide enough for the stone to pass.Later on ( let's say in a few weeks ) after the stone has passed then the stent will be removed. Let us know what kind of stone it was so we can advise on a long term treatment since you don't want the stones to recur. Your dog will probably also need some antibiotics for the procedure, or longer if he also has a urinary tract infection .

Appreciate the info. I will ask about your points tomorrow when the surgeon calls. The plan is to leave the stent in place. The stent will allow urine to pass but it'll be small enough to stop stones from passing. Its not a medical emergency yet - one kidney has a partial blockage.

He's received IV fluids for 2 days. They compared scans. They don't think they can flush it. Too big. I think they called it 7 or 9mm.

They discussed that - removing it to send away to identify it & advise on future treatment.

Culture was ordered, results usually take a few days...
 

RiiSi

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Dollys Owner is right. You ALWAYS have to know what kind of stones/crystals they are. Have they taken an urine sample? If there is a stone the most likely also is crystals so they can be tested. They just can not say by just ultra sound that they can not be solved. He can have cystine or urate stones, very common in bulldogs. It can be calsium oxalate or struvite or even xanthine, calcium phosphate or silica. Some can be solved and others not.
 

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